System and method for vehicle identification

ABSTRACT

A system for vehicle identification comprising: a storage means for storing details on a multiplicity of vehicles and details of a multiplicity of characteristics associated with and available for, the vehicles; selection means operable to allow a user of the system to select details of a vehicle and one or more of the associated and available characteristics; and processing means, operable in response to the selection chosen by the user using the selection means, to generate a three-dimensional representation of the selected vehicle incorporating the selected characteristics.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method for vehicle identification, particularly, although not exclusively, for use by crime investigation authorities to identify vehicles used in crimes.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

BACKGROUND ART

The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application.

Memory recall can be highly variable, and very often inaccurate. This is particularly so, when witnesses to crimes are asked to describe the incident that they have witnessed and particularly details of people and things associated with any such incident. The likelihood of a witness providing an accurate description may vary depending upon a variety of factors. Where a witness has been asked to recall details of vehicles involved in incidents, information can be limited to the colour of the vehicle, or even highly generic descriptions—such as it being a four-wheel drive, or simply a truck. This makes it very difficult to provide a description that is sufficiently robust to allow an investigation to proceed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a system for vehicle identification comprising:

-   -   a storage means for storing details on a multiplicity of         vehicles and details of a multiplicity of characteristics         associated with and available for, the vehicles;     -   selection means operable to allow a user of the system to select         details of a vehicle and one or more of the associated and         available characteristics stored in the storage means; and     -   generating means, operable in response to the selection chosen         by the user using the selection means, to generate a         representation of the selected vehicle incorporating the         selected characteristics.

Preferably, the representation generated is a three-dimensional representation of the selected vehicle incorporating the selected characteristics.

Preferably, the vehicles may be selected from all available vehicle makes available for sale or manufactured in a predetermined jurisdiction over a predetermined period of time.

Preferably, search means is provided to allow the user to enter in predetermined data relating to the vehicle to be identified, the search means operable to create a list of vehicles and the one or more of the associated and available characteristics stored in the storage means that satisfies the predetermined data and the selection means operable to allow a user of the system to select details of a vehicle and one or more of the associated and available characteristics from the list of vehicles.

Preferably, the characteristics associated with and available for each vehicle includes colour, wheel type, bullbar type, headlight style, taillight style, antenna type, badging, body striping, rusting style, bonnet scoop, spoiler type, dent effects and lettering style.

Preferably, means is provided such that the user can allocate a confidence level to the vehicle selection and/or one or more of the associated and available characteristics, the confidence level representing the level of certainty the user has that the three-dimensional representation generated by the processing means conforms with a witness' recollection of a vehicle to be identified or a characteristic of the vehicle to be identified.

More preferably, the confidence level is expressed as a percentage value.

Alternatively, the confidence level is expressed as one of the set of following descriptors: Unsure, Non-committal, Fairly sure, Definite stake.

Preferably, display means is provided to display the representation of the vehicle.

More preferably, the displayed representation of the vehicle is able to be manipulated such that substantially all aspects of the vehicle are able to be viewed by the user via the display means.

More preferably, means is provided to superimpose the representation of the vehicle on a picture.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for vehicle identification comprising:

-   -   selecting details of a vehicle and one or more associated and         available characteristics from a storage means for storing         details on a multiplicity of vehicles and details of a         multiplicity of characteristics associated with and available         for the vehicles; and     -   generating a representation of the selected vehicle         incorporating the selected characteristics.

Preferably, the representation generated is a three-dimensional representation of the selected vehicle incorporating the selected characteristics.

Preferably, the method includes the step of allocating a confidence level to the vehicle selection and/or one or more of the associated and available characteristics.

Preferably, the method includes the step of displaying the representation of the selected vehicle.

More preferably, the method includes the step of manipulating the displayed representation of the selected vehicle, such that substantially all aspects of the vehicle are able to be viewed by the user.

More preferably, the method includes the step of superimposing the representation of the vehicle on a picture.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for vehicle identification comprising:

-   -   entering predetermined data associated with the vehicle to be         identified;     -   generating a list of vehicles and details of a multiplicity of         characteristics associated with and available for the vehicles         that satisfies the predetermined data stored in a storage means         for storing details on a multiplicity of vehicles and details of         a multiplicity of characteristics associated with and available         for, the vehicles;     -   selecting details of a vehicle and one or more associated and         available characteristics from the storage means; and     -   generating a representation of the selected vehicle         incorporating the selected characteristics.

In this manner, the present invention has the advantage of providing a means of being able to systematically generate representations of vehicles that truly represent the vehicles available in the market, and therefore likely to be more accurate. It also allows witnesses to more effectively recall details of vehicles that they may have witnessed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an entity diagram of a vehicle library used in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an entity diagram of vehicle library attributes used in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an entity diagram of vehicle library customisation options as used in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are entity diagrams of session data as used in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an entity diagram of framework architecture of the system of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an entity diagram of a main frame of the framework architecture of an embodiment of the system of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is an entity diagram of a Work Area View of the framework architecture of an embodiment of the system of the present invention.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The system 1 of the present invention comprises a computer 2—such as a personal computer—and includes (as is well known to a person skilled in the art), a processing unit 3, a display 4, a keyboard 5, and a mouse 6. As is also well known, the processing unit 3 includes an appropriate processor and memories—including a database—as well as other circuitry (not shown). In so far as it is not relevant to the present invention, and is well known, the form and operation of the computer need not be described in any further detail herein.

In the embodiment described herein, the computer 2 is operable to run a software application—as will be described in more detail below—on a Windows™—based operating system.

At a user/operator level, the system 1 enables a user—on the basis of information supplied by a witness—to draw up a detailed three-dimensional representation of a vehicle.

An instance of vehicle identification—hereinafter referred to as a session—begins by the user of the system 1 (typically a police officer) registering initial details such as name, rank, location of session, incident date and time, and any other appropriate details such as witness details, incident or crime details and the recollections of the witness in their own words.

The witness is then prompted to select information that is known about the vehicle to be identified from drop down lists. For example, if the witness identifies the vehicle by the vehicle manufacturer and it's colour, then the system is operable to display all vehicles available from that manufacturer, in that colour. The witness can then select from the vehicles displayed the one that most closely matches the one that the witness recalls seeing. The vehicle models displayed will vary depending upon the information supplied by the witness. For example, if the witness identifies the vehicle as a yellow four-wheel drive vehicle, then the system will be operable to display all four-wheel drive vehicles available on the market—whatever the vehicle manufacturer. Once the witness is happy with the basic appearance of the vehicle, then the witness is then able to customise the vehicle further—for example, by adding available accessories such as bullbars, spoilers, alloy wheels, as well as adding features such as those relating to the wear of the vehicle—such as rusting, and minor dents. The available customisation for the selected vehicle will depend upon the vehicle selected. So, for example, it will only be possible to colour the vehicle in those colours, and finishes, available for that particular make and model.

In further embodiments of the invention, the available customisation for the selected vehicle may not depend upon the vehicle selected, for identification in the case where the vehicle has been unconventionally modified by an owner subsequent to purchase. So, for example, in further embodiments it may be possible to colour the vehicle in colours, and finishes, not typically available for that particular make and model.

The user can build up a detailed representation of the vehicle from any basis—but it would usually be on the basis of characteristics such as colour, basic body shape, or something more detailed such as manufacturer and model, if possible. At each stage of the process the available options available for selection are displayed on the display 4 as image(s). The image(s) can be selected, and manoeuvred by means of the mouse 6 and/or keyboard in the usual manner.

Once the customisation is complete, then the three-dimensional representation as seen on the display 4 can be printed as a hard copy, or saved as a data file on the system, for example, for sending as an email attachment.

The system 1 includes graphics software that allows the representation to be provided as a three-dimensional representation, which can be rotated so that the witness can view the representation from an angle corresponding to the witness' view of the incident. The graphics can also render the image to provide a “life-like” appearance to the representation.

In the embodiment, the three-dimensional representation of the vehicle may be superimposed on a picture of the incident taken from where the witness' observed the incident, to aid the memory of the witness.

The software application of the present invention, and which is used for vehicle identification, will, in this embodiment, be written in Visual C++, using appropriate software. The graphical user interface (GUI) will be provided using Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) and will also include a three-dimensional graphics package incorporating graphics rendering, such as the commercially available “Lightworks”™ software. The software application also incorporates appropriate database management software.

In the present embodiment the database is a relational database, and can be used to store sets of data relating to the following:

-   -   Vehicle Model Data     -   Session Data

It will be understood that although in the embodiment described herein the two sets of data are taken to be stored in a single database, they can also be stored in separate databases and may, on occasions in this specification, be referred to as such.

The Vehicle Model Data comprises three-dimensional representations of vehicle models of vehicles on the market, and is stored as read-only data.

The Session data is data relating to a particular session. Session data includes such information as that relating to the crime incident, as well as three-dimensional representations of customised vehicle generated during a session.

The database management software includes database independent persistence that will abstract all data management creation, retrieval, update, and deletion (CRUD) operations. The vehicle model consists of a Vehicle Library and Vehicle Accessories Library, while the session data consists of Session Information and Customised Vehicles.

Vehicle Library—See FIG. 2.

At the highest level the Vehicle Library consists of the following Entities:

-   -   Vehicle Manufacturer     -   Vehicle Models     -   Vehicle Series     -   Similar Vehicle's     -   Vehicle Manufacture Materials     -   Body Shape Categories     -   Body Size Categories     -   Body Appearance Categories     -   Headlight Style Categories     -   Taillight Style Categories     -   Badging Categories     -   Wheel Type Templates     -   Antenna Type Templates     -   Background/Props Templates     -   Bullbar Templates     -   Rusting Style Templates     -   Lettering Style Templates     -   Pin striping Templates     -   Badging/Graphic Templates     -   Rear Spoiler Templates     -   Bonnet Scoop Templates     -   Dent effect Templates         Vehicle Manufacturer

A vehicle Manufacturer represents a Vehicle manufacturer. It has the following Attributes:

-   -   ID—used internally     -   Caption—human readable and searchable string         Vehicle Model/Series

A vehicle Model represents a Vehicle from the manufacturer. It has the following Attributes:

-   -   ID—used internally     -   Caption—human readable and searchable string     -   3D Representation—may be specific to Lightworks SDK     -   Body (ID)—reference to instance of Body Shape Object     -   Vehicle Size (ID)—reference to instance of Vehicle Size Object     -   Start Year—First Year of manufacture     -   End Year—Last Year of Manufacture     -   Body Appearance (ID)—reference to instance of Body Appearance         Object     -   Headlight Style (ID)—reference to instance of Headlight Style         Object     -   Taillight Style (ID)—reference to instance of Taillight Style         Object     -   Chassis (Vehicle Identification Number) Prefix     -   Wheel Base Length     -   Wheel Base Width     -   Turn Radius     -   Vehicle Length     -   Vehicle Width     -   Vehicle Height     -   Engine Capacity     -   Engine Number Cylinders     -   Similar Vehicles ID—reference to instance of Similar Vehicles         Object         Similar Vehicles

Similar Vehicles are used to categorise vehicles that are similar. It has the following Attributes:

-   -   ID—used internally         Vehicle Manufacture Materials

Vehicle Manufacture Materials are used to categorise materials that a particular model/series is available in. It has the following Attributes:

ID—used internally

-   -   Caption—human readable and searchable string     -   Description—More detailed information about the object     -   Material Information—may be specific to Lightworks SDK         Vehicle Library Attributes used in Visual Searches—See FIG. 3.

Vehicle Attribute Categories are used to categorise Vehicles. Visual Search criteria are used to query cars matching these attributes. Instances of this class will not be instantiated. It is purely defined as common attributes as a base class to allow specialisation. It has the following (generic) Attributes:

-   -   ID—used internally     -   Caption—human readable and searchable string     -   Description—More detailed information about the object     -   Image—2D representation of the object

The following Entities will be specialisations of this class:

-   -   Body Shape Categories     -   Body Size Categories     -   Body Appearance Categories     -   Headlight Style Categories     -   Taillight Style Categories     -   Badging Categories         Vehicle Library Customisation Options—See FIG. 4.

Vehicle Customisation Templates are used to customise attributes of a Customised Vehicle. Instances of this class will not be instantiated. It is purely defined as common attributes as a base class to allow specialisation. It has the following (generic) Attributes:

-   -   ID—used internally     -   Caption—human readable and searchable string     -   Description—More detailed information about the object     -   Image—2D representation of the object     -   3D Representation—may be specific to Lightworks SDK

The following Entities will be specialisations of this class:

-   -   Wheel Type Templates     -   Antenna Type Templates     -   Background Templates     -   Props Templates     -   Bullbar Templates     -   Rusting Style Templates     -   Lettering Style Templates     -   Pin striping Templates     -   Badging/Graphic Templates     -   Rear Spoiler Templates     -   Bonnet Scoop Templates     -   Dent Effect Templates

These items allow a user to build a representation of a vehicle during a session.

The second set of data is the session data that includes data for a specific session.

At the highest level the Vehicle Library consists of the following Entities—see FIG. 5:

-   -   Session     -   Session Vehicle (Questionnaire about each car and Customisation         details)     -   Audit History—see FIG. 6.

As mentioned above, a session represents a single use of the system 1. It has the following Attributes:

-   -   ID—used internally     -   Interviewing Officer Name     -   Interviewing Officer Rank     -   Interviewing Officer Number     -   Interviewing Officer Location     -   Incident Date Time     -   Incident Location     -   Incident Complainants Name     -   Incident Complainants Address     -   Offence Type     -   Offence Report Number     -   Number of Vehicles to Identify     -   Witness Name     -   Witness Date of Birth     -   Witness Gender         Session Vehicle

A Session Vehicle represents a customisation of a vehicle within a session. It has the following Attributes:

-   -   ID—used internally     -   Questionnaire Known Vehicle Registration Number Details—The         registration number of the vehicle as provided by the witness.         Details captures the vehicle registration number if known.     -   Questionnaire Vehicle Manufacturer     -   Questionnaire Vehicle Model     -   Questionnaire Vehicle Colour     -   Questionnaire Vehicle Year Start     -   Questionnaire Vehicle Year End     -   Questionnaire Vehicle Size     -   Questionnaire Vehicle Body Shape     -   Questionnaire Vehicle Headlight Style     -   Questionnaire Vehicle Taillight Style     -   Questionnaire Vehicle Distinguishing Features

With regard to the user interface, Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) provides the framework for the Graphical User Interface (GUI) library. The Document/View architecture from MFC is used as the basis for the GUI. A document will contain an instance of a Session Object from the Session data and a constant reference to the Vehicle Library Object from the vehicle model data. The following user interface elements are used:

Controls

-   -   Committal Factor Control—that is the extent to which the witness         is sure of his information. Committal Factor Control enables the         user to allocate a confidence level to a session vehicle. The         confidence level represents the level of certainty the user has         that the session vehicle conforms with the recollection that a         witness has of the vehicle to be identified or a characteristic         of the vehicle to be identified and is expressed as one of the         set of following descriptors: Unsure; Non-committal; Fairly         Sure; Definite Stake. In an alternative embodiment of the         invention, the confidence level can be expressed as a         percentage.     -   Vehicle Thumbnail Control (with candidacy status)—A pop-up         control box that lets the user select a vehicle or see         information about the vehicle. Vehicle Thumbnail Control enables         the user to select a list of options using a “right mouse         click”, the options allowing the user to select a vehicle for         further consideration, de-select or remove the vehicle from         further consideration, show the vehicle in a “pop-up” window, or         show statistical details on the vehicle.     -   Visual Selection List Control (Image, Caption, Tool Tips)—This         enables a user to display a list of images and allows the user         to select between them. This is the list of vehicles the user         has selected to view.     -   Vehicle 3D Canvas         Dialogs     -   Splash—i.e. the first window/screen to display when the         application is initialised     -   System Tutorial     -   About Box     -   Case Manager (A view to manage all Session Objects In the         Database)     -   3D Vehicle Details (A view displaying statistical data on a         selected vehicle from the current session)         Views     -   Navigation Tree (GUI controller)—used by Questionnaire, Vehicle         Search, Display Configuration, Forensic Search, Vehicle Details,         Vehicle Candidates, Vehicle Summary, Vehicle Customisation, and         Similar Vehicles.     -   Customise Tools Tree (GUI controller) that comprises a list of         folders and sub-folders containing the accessories and         materials, such as boots, and windows, that can be applied to a         vehicle representation to customise the vehicle representation.     -   Helpful Comments—also used by Questionnaire, Vehicle Search,         Display Configuration, Forensic Search, Vehicle Details, Vehicle         Candidates, Vehicle Summary, Vehicle Customisation, and Similar         Vehicles. Helpful Comments includes text which explains to the         user how to complete details on the system. In the present         embodiment, Helpful Comments may include “Hatch is a vehicle         with a rear door which opens upwards”.     -   Notes Area—also used by Questionnaire, Vehicle Search, Display         Configuration, Forensic Search, Vehicle Details, Vehicle         Candidates, Vehicle Summary, Vehicle Customisation, and Similar         Vehicles. This is a “Help” screen to assist the user in         completing the view.     -   Search Criteria Comparison—used by, Vehicle Candidates, Similar         Vehicles, Vehicle Summary, and Vehicle Customisation, when         navigated by Visual or Forensic Search. In this view, all         vehicles are displayed that match the description provided by         the witness. In the present embodiment, if the user selected a 2         door hatch as the description of a vehicle, the Search Criteria         Comparison is the list of all 2 door hatch vehicles on the         database.     -   Video Presentation provides an animation sequence of about 15         seconds duration showing 3D car models and actual police         footage—for marketing purposes.     -   Login     -   Main Icon     -   Display Configuration     -   Questionnaire Wizard—provides questionnaires that allow the user         to input detail for the session         -   Interviewing Officer Page         -   Incident Details Page         -   Witness Details Page         -   Vehicle Details Page         -   Summary Page     -   Visual Search Wizard (including Committal Factor)—these guide         witnesses through the selection process         -   Manufacturer Page         -   Model Page         -   Year Page         -   Body Shape Page         -   Vehicle Size Page         -   Vehicle Appearance Page         -   Vehicle Badging Page         -   Headlight Style Page         -   Taillight Style Page     -   Advanced Search—this combines the visual search wizard with the         forensic search (see below). For example, in the present         embodiment, Advanced Search may be a combination of the visual         search wizard describing what a witness saw, such as a small 4         door sedan, and forensic search values describing forensic         evidence obtained at a crime scene, such as a vehicle track         width of 1450 mm.     -   Forensic Search—this is a search based purely on forensic or         statistical values, such as, for example, wheel track width or         the height of the vehicle. Forensic Search enables searching         based on forensic or statistical values including, in the         present embodiment, vehicle data such as overall vehicle length,         vehicle height, vehicle engine capacity.     -   Search Results Wizard         -   Matching Vehicles Page (including candidate status)         -   Selected Vehicles Page         -   Similar Vehicles Page (including candidate status)         -   The Vehicle Page     -   Customise Vehicle     -   Report

The following framework classes are used—see FIG. 7.:

-   -   SystemApplication derived from CWinApp     -   MainFrame derived from CFrameWnd     -   SessionDocument derived from CDocument     -   SessionView derived from CFormView

Additionally, the frames include docking/splitter panes (views) to the left and a “Work Area” (pane) to the right, an additional class WorkAreaView is derived from SessionView. All Work Area views are derived from this and other views derived from SessionView.

The classes are defined and illustrated in FIG. 7, along with their responsibilities.

Class SystemApplication

This class will have the following responsibilities:

-   -   Set up MFC framework (in particular register Documents and         Views).     -   Initialise Third Party Libraries/packages.     -   Initialise any additional packages/sub-systems.         Class MainFrame—See FIG. 8

This class will have the following responsibilities:

-   -   GUI Controller creating initial Layout.     -   GUI Controller creating/destroying (i.e. swapping) Work Area         Panes (views).         Class SessionDocument

This class will have the following responsibilities:

-   -   Maintaining an instance of a “Session” object from the Session         Data.     -   Ability to notify views of Data Changes through MFC Framework.         Class SessionView

This class will have the following responsibilities:

-   -   Base class for all Views (panes in the application).     -   Receive notifications of Document changes through MFC Framework.         Derived classes may override this.         Class WorkAreaView—See FIG. 9.

This class will have the following responsibilities:

-   -   Abstract Work Area Panes (views) common controls such as Next         (Forward), Previous (Back), and Main Screen buttons.     -   Abstract Work Area Panes (views) self-validation. I.e. trying to         navigate out of this pane (view) to another will invoke         validation on the Current Work Area.

A number of session or use case scenarios will now be described. As will be understood to a person skilled in the art, the application is not limited to these use cases—these being discussed for illustrative purposes.

-   -   The use case begins when the user selects the Vehicle Search         button on the Main Screen         -   The MFC Framework maps the command to the MainIconView             -   The MainIconView through the SessionDocument notifies                 the MainFrame of an “Invoke Vehicle Search” request                 -   The MainFrame destroys the StartupView                 -   The MainFrame creates the                     uestionnaireInterviewingOfficerPage     -   The use case ends     -   The use case begins when the user selects the Next button on the         QuestionnaireInterviewingOfficerPage Screen     -   The MFC Framework maps the command to the         QuestionnaireInterviewingOfficerPage         -   The QuestionnaireInterviewingOfficerPage validates the             Screen Data         -   The QuestionnaireInterviewingOfficerPage through the             SessionDocument notifies the MainFrame of a “Move to Witness             Details Page” request             -   The MainFrame—destroys the                 QuestionnaireInterviewingOfficerPage             -   The MainFrame creates the                 QuestionnaireWitnessDetailsPage Page

-   The use case ends

-   The use case begins when the user selects the “Select” button on the     “Vehicle 3D Display” Screen (with the     SearchResultsMatchingVehiclesPage Screen behind.)

-   The MFC Framework maps the command to the Vehicle3DDialog dialog

-   The Vehicle3DDialog updates the Car status in the SessionDocument     -   The SessionDocument notifies MFC Framework of a Modified         Document.         -   The MFC Framework notifies all Views of a Document Change             -   The SearchResultsMatchingVehiclesPage received a                 “Document Change” notification                 -   The SearchResultsMatchingVehiclesPage determines if                     the (particular) Car is displayed in a thumbnail                     view                 -   The SearchResultsMatchingVehiclesPage refreshes the                     VehicleThumbNail control

The use case ends.

From the above, discussion, therefore, it can be seen that the present invention therefore provides a system which allows a user to generate a three-dimensional representation of a vehicle from the starting point of one or more basic criteria, such as the vehicle manufacturer. The user is then provided with three-dimensional representations from a selection that matches such basic criteria. The user can then select the image that most closely represents the vehicle that the user requires i.e. to generate a basic three-dimensional representation. The user then builds on that basic representation to provide a customised representation, with appropriate accessories, colours etc. The user is also able to select and de-select features (including basic representations) until a “best” match is generated. This is all done by displaying information in windows or views on a display of a computer, the information being selected (or deselected) through appropriate mouse or keyboard control.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, rather than producing a three-dimensional representation of the vehicle to be identified, the system can generate a series of two-dimensional representations that combined form a profile of the vehicle to be identified. For instance, the two-dimensional representations may be of the front, rear, side and top of the vehicle to be identified.

It will be obvious to the person skilled in the art that modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the invention is described within the context of an application developed using C++. However, other programming languages and integral software could be used. 

1. A system for vehicle identification comprising: a storage means for storing details on a multiplicity of vehicles and details of a multiplicity of characteristics associated with and available for, the vehicles; selection means operable to allow a user of the system to select details of a vehicle and one or more of the associated and available characteristics stored in the storage means; and generating means, operable in response to the selection chosen by the user using the selection means, to generate a representation of the selected vehicle incorporating the selected characteristics.
 2. A system for vehicle identification according to claim 1, where the generated representation is a three-dimensional representation of the selected vehicle incorporating the selected characteristics.
 3. A system for vehicle identification according to claim 1, where the vehicle may be selected from all available vehicle makes available for sale or manufactured in a predetermined jurisdiction over a predetermined period of time.
 4. A system for vehicle identification according to claim 1, where search means is provided to allow the user to enter in predetermined data relating to the vehicle to be identified, the search means operable to create a list of vehicles and the one or more of the associated and available characteristics stored in the storage means that satisfies the predetermined data and the selection means operable to allow a user of the system to select details of a vehicle and one or more of the associated and available characteristics from the list of vehicles.
 5. A system for vehicle identification according to claim 1 where the characteristics associated with and available for each vehicle includes color, wheel type, bullbar type, headlight style, taillight style, antenna type, badging, body striping, rusting style, bonnet scoop, spoiler type, dent effects and lettering style.
 6. A system for vehicle identification according to claim 1, where means is provided such that the user can allocate a confidence level to the vehicle selection and/or one or more of the associated and available characteristics, the confidence level representing the level of certainty the user has that the representation generated by the processing means conforms with a witness' recollection of the vehicle to be identified or a characteristic of the vehicle to be identified.
 7. A system for vehicle identification according to claim 6, where the confidence level is expressed as a percentage value.
 8. A system for vehicle identification according to claim 6, where the confidence level is expressed in a non-mathematical form
 9. A system for vehicle identification according to claim 1, where display means is provided to display the representation of the vehicle.
 10. A system for vehicle identification according to claim 9, where the displayed representation of the vehicle is able to be manipulated such that substantially all aspects of the vehicle are able to be viewed by the user via the display means.
 11. A system for vehicle identification according to claim 9, where means is provided to superimpose the representation of the vehicle on a picture.
 12. A method for vehicle identification comprising: selecting details of a vehicle and one or more associated and available characteristics from a storage means for storing details on a multiplicity of vehicles and details of a multiplicity of characteristics associated with and available for, the vehicles; and generating a representation of the selected vehicle incorporating the selected characteristics.
 13. A method for vehicle identification comprising: entering predetermined data associated with the vehicle to be identified; generating a list of vehicles and details of a multiplicity of characteristics associated with and available for the vehicles that satisfies the predetermined data stored in a storage means for storing details on a multiplicity of vehicles and details of a multiplicity of characteristics associated with and available for, the vehicles; selecting details of a vehicle and one or more associated and available characteristics from the storage means; and generating a representation of the selected vehicle incorporating the selected characteristics.
 14. A method of vehicle identification according to claim 11, where the step of generating a representation of the selected vehicle incorporating the selected characteristics generates a three-dimensional representation of the selected vehicle incorporating the selected characteristics.
 15. A method for vehicle identification according to claim 12 including the step of allocating a confidence level to the vehicle selection and/or one or more of the associated and available characteristics.
 16. A method for vehicle identification according to claim 12 including the step of displaying the three-dimensional representation of the selected vehicle.
 17. A method for vehicle identification according to claim 16, including the step of manipulating the displayed three-dimensional representation of the selected vehicle, such that substantially all aspects of the vehicle are able to be viewed by the user.
 18. A method for vehicle identification according to claim 16, including the step of superimposing the three-dimensional representation of the vehicle on a picture.
 19. (canceled) 